Roundworms are the most common of the parasitic worms found inside a cat (or dog). Almost all cats become infected with them at some time in their lives, usually as kittens. Roundworms may be contracted in different ways, making them easy to spread and hard to control.
Are roundworms in cats contagious to humans?
Are roundworms a danger to my family or me? Roundworms can be a health risk for humans. The most common source of human infection is by ingesting eggs that have come from soil contaminated with cat (or dog) feces. "In suitable environments, the eggs may remain infective to humans and cats for years."
How do you treat roundworms in cats?
There are several medications for treating roundworm in cats, including fenbendazole, emodepside, milbemycin, piperazine, moxidectin, selamectin, and pyrantel. Your veterinarian will select the remedy best suited for your cat.
What happens if roundworms go untreated in cats?
While roundworms are usually easy and inexpensive to treat, untreated cats can experience great discomfort as well as vomiting and diarrhea, and untreated kittens and older cats can face life-threatening malnutrition and pneumonia.
How long can a cat live with roundworms?
Whipworm eggs can survive in the environment for up to 5 years, take 11 weeks to mature in the body and can survive in the host for up to 16 months. Cats infected with whipworms may show signs of weight loss, digestive or intestinal issues, and bloody diarrhea.
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